The Old Friend’s Radar

The steam from the fish cake soup rose in the chilly air of the pocha. Su-jin sat staring at her drink, feeling completely aimless. Lately, her career felt like it had no direction, and the weight of constant deadlines was making her feel like life was just a series of tough hurdles.

"You're thinking about quitting again, aren't you?" Su-jin looked up, startled. It was Min-ho. They had gone to the same middle school and had been inseparable ever since.

"How did you do that?" Su-jin asked, leaning back. "Did you read my mind?" Min-ho laughed, ordering a plate of grilled pork. "I don't need magic for that. I know you too well. You only make that specific face when work is a bit much."

"It's just... I'm under a lot of pressure to be active and successful," Su-jin sighed. "Everyone else seems to be moving forward, but I'm just tired. I feel a lot of pressure to have everything figured out by now."

Min-ho pushed a piece of lean meat toward her. "Eat this. You need to stay healthy to live longer and complain more. Look, I get it. I’ve been there. Last year, I felt pressured to change my whole life, but that’s just how it goes sometimes. You’re doing fine."

"I hear you," Su-jin said, a small smile finally appearing. "I guess I was putting way too much pressure on myself to find a 'direction' right away."

"Exactly. No pressure tonight. Just drink your soju," Min-ho replied. The burdens hadn't disappeared, but as they joked about their middle school days, the heavy feeling in her chest began to soften. She wasn't sure about the future, but sharing the weight with someone who knew her soul made the path ahead look a little less daunting.